LYR study: Influence of a web-based application on the systematic chronological and effectiveness of network-guided patient management processes in lymphological care

Abstract

SummaryThe systematic acquisition of data for proving the benefit of standard treatment, demonstrating the efficiency of treatment provided by interprofessional patient management processes and providing valid epidemiological data is inadequate or even nonexistent in the treatment of lymphological disorders. The LYR study firstly uses a webbased documentation tool to examine whether treatment quality is ensured under the conditions provided by an outpatient lymph network that has been guaranteed by a systematic and guideline-compliant treatment analogy. The study evaluated the introduction and handling of a web-based documentation platform for joint case management. LYR also stands synonymously for Lymph Register, and represents a feasibility study with regard to establishing a national lymph register. A phase 1 multicentre interventional study of complex physical decongestion therapy on 61 subjects with different lymphological disorders investigated the immediate and late effects of a prespecified treatment analogy and web-based data acquisition with interdisciplinary data access in six regional lymph networks. Findings on the changes to quality of life and on the effect of the frequency of manual lymphatic drainage and the height of lymphological compression bandages on the results of decongestion were documented and data on prescribing periods and the behaviour of cost bearers were acquired. The study results show that a web-based, structured documentation system can usefully support treatment regimens and simplify mutual access to the patient management process. The epidemiological data acquired during the evaluation of the findings sheet are completely new in Germany and are seen as a feasibility study for a national lymph register that is being prepared. LYR also shows that standard treatment (CPD) has positive effects on circumferences, quality of life, and mobility. It was also shown that a high frequency of manual lymph drainage shortened the decongestion treatment period.